How to Use Positive Facial Expressions

According to Forbes, when an individual sends incongruent verbal and nonverbal messages, the receiver is likely to “believe the predominant nonverbal message over the verbal one." People can pick up when your body language and words don’t align. Your facial expressions say much more than your actual words. Especially when it comes to providing great employee and customer journeys, facial expressions matter the most.

Reflect on how to use positive facial expressions

Learning how to use positive facial expressions is fundamental in developing and honing your communication skills. Start by simply taking a moment to reflect.

Do you believe your facial expressions speak louder than your words?

Exercises to help you use positive facial expressions

Now, it's time to put your reflection into action. Finding opportunities to implement your communication skills can allow you to use positive facial expressions.

• Smile not only with your mouth but with your eyes when it comes naturally. Genuinely displaying this type of holistic smile shows that you’re friendly and approachable.
• Use your hands to cover your yawn or turn off your camera whether you’re in a Zoom or in-person meeting. Yawning can come off as distracting or signal you’re uninterested.
• Maintain appropriate eye contact without staring. If you feel uncomfortable, imagine an inverted triangle around their eyes and mouth and change your gaze from one point to another.